2012 Women of Justice

Welcome to the inaugural class of the North Carolina Women of Justice Award honorees. This is the first such award program we’ve produced at North Carolina Lawyers Weekly and we are privileged to pay tribute to these 25 exceptional women.

Tyyawdi Hands knows the power of hard work and perseverance. When she was 2, she lost her mother. Her father was absent most of her life. She was raised by her grandmother, and worked two or three jobs at a time to pay for her education. It paid off for her, and today she still works hard to help others.

When Tania Archer saw a portrait of Justice Thurgood Marshall in the front hallway of the Vanderbilt Law School, she was inspired to earn a law degree. Today, she uses that degree to help society through her pro bono work for those in need, and as an attorney who represents business and industry in the public domain.

Tammy West takes her work helping victims of abuse and sexual assault personally. She believes in the power of educating adults and children on how the justice system operates and helps victims understand the law is on their side.

This year, Shelby Benton received the North Carolina Bar Association’s Citizen Lawyer Award. From service to her community to her involvement in her local school system, the Girl Scouts and as the founder of WAVE, a girls’ volleyball association, Benton is the picture of a citizen lawyer.

Rosemary Kenyon has built a successful career in business law, but has never forgotten those who came before her and helped pave a path for women to practice law. She’s even helped create a book about them.

Rickye McKoy-Mitchell has presided over district courts for 14 years. She has long been a high achiever. As a UNC undergraduate, she was a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine becoming one of the youngest people to ever receive the prestigious award.

As coordinator of her firm’s summer program, Rebecca Lindahl recruits and manages summer associates, right down to the social outings. She takes pride in recruiting excellent young lawyers who provide good client service and give back to the community.

Patricia Shields, an accomplished defense attorney, just completed a term as president of the N.C. Association of Defense Attorneys. Known for her passionate efforts on behalf of other attorneys, she believes lawyers must support each other, and she values personal relationships over billable hours.

Patricia Holland, litigator, employment law attorney and mediator, devotes her career to helping people find resolutions to employment disputes. But her greatest satisfaction comes from pro bono work, and from her many professional and civic activities.

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